Pedestrians

Street Seats

Street Seats is a citywide program where local partners apply to transform underused streets into vibrant, social public spaces during the warm weather months. Street Seats are installed in the roadbed along the curb line to create an attractive setting for eating, reading, working, meeting a friend or taking a rest.

Eligibility

Any type of business or institution (such as a museum or community organization) that owns or operates the frontage at the ground floor of a building may be eligible to install and maintain a Street Seat. Additionally, via NYC DOT Sponsorship Agreement, anyone may apply for a Street Seat to be sponsored or anyone may sponsor a Street Seat. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and non-profit organizations without frontage can also be eligible, if they work in partnership with a local business that does have frontage. All applications for Street Seats require support from the property owner and approval from the local Community Board before installation can take place. DOT does not charge an application fee.

Siting

All potential Street Seat sites are expected to be both safe and practical. DOT will review all applications to confirm that they meet the below criteria:

The site must be a pleasant place to sit. The purpose of Street Seats is to enhance already vibrant street life; there should be complementary adjacent uses.

The adjoining sidewalk must be free of major obstructions such as fire hydrants, driveways, newsstands or bus stops. The presence of certain types of underground utilities may render locations unsuitable for Street Seats.

The street characteristics must be deemed suitable for such installations by DOT. Sites close to intersections or driveways or where turns or lane changes occur could be rejected due to safety concerns.

The lane along the curb cannot be a moving traffic lane at any time of day.

The parking regulations at the curb must be suitable for the installation. Examples of unsuitable regulations include bus stops, fire zones, authorized vehicle parking or no stopping zones.

Design

Street Seats are attractive installations that enhance neighborhood streets and provide an amenity to support walking and vibrant street life. All installations must include plantings that screen the seating area from traffic while still providing visual permeability across the street and a continuous open edge along the curb. The installations must maintain roadway drainage, be ADA complaint, and also allow for access to any below-ground utilities.

There are three Street Seats design options:

Platform, Customizable Design. This option is characterized by a platform that is flush with the curb for easy access. This must be designed with drawings that are signed and sealed by a New York State-certified architect or engineer. DOT engineers will also sign off on the design.

Platform, Customizable Design (New School, Manhattan)

Platform, DOT’s Standard Design. This option, which is also characterized by a platform that is flush with the curb, is a standard design that DOT licenses to successful applicants. Design costs are thereby eliminated in most cases, but site conditions may still necessitate design solutions that require the drawings that are signed and sealed by a New York State-certified architect or engineer.

Non-platform, DOT’s Standard Design. This type of Street Seat is directly on the roadbed. Design and installation costs are greatly reduced with this option. The non-platform Street Seat requires a ramp for wheelchair access; this reduces the amount of space devoted to seating or other uses within the space.

Basis for non-platform Street Seat (Tribeca, Manhattan)

Operations and Maintenance

During the months of operation, the installation and surrounding area must be routinely cleaned and maintained by the sponsoring business or organization. Furnishings must be removed or broken down and locked up at night and then put out again each morning. The sponsoring business or organization will enter into a maintenance agreement for the length of the season.
Click here for the agreement template (pdf).

To ensure smooth and successful operations, DOT will conduct regular inspections to ensure the Street Seat remains safe, properly maintained, and free from prohibited activity. DOT will order the removal of any Street Seats that are consistently poorly maintained.

For customizable Street Seats the applicant will be responsible to the storage of the structure during the off season.

Considerations & Requirements

Please consider the following prior to applying to Street Seats:

All Street Seats are open to the public.

The sponsoring business may not take orders nor exchange money on the Street Seat. But if patrons order products inside the business, they may be brought out to them at a table.

Street sweeping by the Department of Sanitation will proceed as normal along the curb in front of and beyond the installation. Garbage collection occurs at curb area at the nearest end of the installation.

DOT reserves the right to reject any application for a Street Seat for any reason.

Process

(approx. 6 months)

There are four steps in the Street Seats process. Please note that some steps may overlap or may not apply for the DOT Standard Design. Step 1: Application & Initial DOT Approval (approx. 1 month)

Obtain the support of your property owner or, if you are the property owner, simply sign under “Property Owner’s Affirmation”.

Complete and scan the application and submit it via email, fax or mail. See full submission requirements on the application itself.

DOT will review your application to ensure it meets our siting criteria and notify you for a site visit.

Step 2: Community Board Review (approx. 1 month)

Contact your Community Board to request consideration of your proposal as soon as you receive preliminary approval from DOT.

Present your proposal to the relevant committee at the Community Board (usually the Transportation Committee) for its review. If the committee approves your proposal, it will forward it to the Full Board for its review and approval.

Reimbursement

DOT will reimburse NEW partners for up to $12,000 and existing partners for up to $5,000 for the 2017 season for eligible purchases related to materials, fabrication and installation of the Street Seat. All purchased and installation must occur before June 30, 2017. Please inquire for further information.